December 2013

December 26, 2013

As Miss Janet and I look back at 2013, and forward to 2014, there are some things that really boggle my mind with that generation just after us (Not you Sean, but my son's generation, and maybe not exactly my son, OK have you read his Facebook Page)? So here are some things that might be useful for that generation before its too late:

1) My favorite new word in the Oxford Dictionary this year is: FriendscapingYou know, trimming the illogical fat and stupid from your social media collections. "I did some Friendscaping last night. My timeline is so much more stable now. No more cat videos. NO MORE: nude photos, drunken photos, photos of some of our relatives from that age bracket that claim, (this is the person I will spend the rest of my days with, and then a month later there is a picture of someone else). You know who I am talking about right?

2) Tweeting? Really, I mean who wants to know when someone cooks dinner, exits the Walmart, or even arrives at the Eagles Tailgater? How can anyone have 25,000 tweet buddies? Is your life either so boring you have to live it through someone else's mindless chatter, or you feel so hoity doity that you have to tell the tweeters what you are doing 24/7/365. GET A LIFE. Mind your own business, and have some private moments PLEASE.

3) PICK up the phone, call me, or heaven forbid send me an actual letter. Did you know that many Texas School Districts no longer teach handwriting? What is this world coming to?

4) Does any kid under the age of 12 go outside a just have a catch with their Dad, or play kickball in the street with their neighbors, or build tree forts, or wow just go down to the local stream and catch minnows, salamanders, or frogs. Probably have to look it all up on Goggle.com to get the directions.....

5) Why do we need a month's long notice to drop in on people anymore. Remember when your Dad would pile the entire family in the Station Wagon on a Sunday, and drive for like an hour, and then show up announced at someone's house you never met. AND they not only greeted you warmly at the door but made drinks for your parents, gave you a root beer, and probably made dinner with three courses plus dessert? NEVER happens nowadays.....SAD

6) Why is is politically incorrect to call your leaders liars, bullies, even malcontents. Why is it cool to elect people with no experience, just so you can say you were part of the trend? And then re-elect them when they fail?

7) I am also sick of some of these same people thinking that the "other side" of the political spectrum is just plain evil. Is it because you believe that 30 second sound bite on ABC, the Philly Inky, or that Hipster down at the Coffee Club? READ what the other side actually has to say. It may repulse me, but I read the NY Times, Paul Krugger is in the Houston Chronicle once a week, and he enfuriates me, but I read it. Try looking at this website:http://www.realclearpolitics.com/

8) Go visit your family, ON YOUR OWN DIME. Don't merely send a text, email, OR TWEET on their birthday. And if you live a $400 or more flight away and your wine budget prevents you from flying, SEND A GREETING CARD, BY US POSTAL SERVICE.

9) Instead of blowing thousands on some new technology that is outdated in six months, or that annual golf vacation with the same old farts going back 25 years, or those Eagles Season Tickets, or that car for your sixth daughter; blow the wad on your darling wife and go to Europe. Get out of your comfort zone and just go. May I suggest Rome? Everybody speaks English but the food, wine, people, are something you will never forget.

10) A hodgepodge: Be ten minutes early, go to Church, donate your time to a local charity, ride your bike with your kids, make a campfire and roast hot dogs, send your mother flowers (and your father a bottle of scotch...hint hint). Go on a movie date with your wife, better yet, cook her a meal that involves an oven AND A COOKBOOK. Take your son fishing. And everytime you have contact with your family, tell them you love them and miss them......Its so easy.....